CHAPTER 21
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine
Ed Sheeran
"I had a feeling you would show up sooner or later," said Black, a silhouette in the open doorway. Tyson clutched the strap of his backpack, eyes wide, breathing shallowly through his mouth. Black stepped in and closed the door behind him, the soft thud sounding loud in the quietness. There was no escape, he realized all of a sudden. He would fight. Tyson swore to himself. He would fight till his very last breath and take an eye or two out in the process.
No way was he letting this motherfucker get away with his sins without paying for it. If these were his last moments on earth, he would sure as heck give his parents' killer hell before the lights went out for him forever. "I knew, that one day, I would open this door and find you standing in front of me. Just like this," he said a whisper that sounded more like a hiss. "And there you are." He shook his head slowly, side to side, licking his thin lower lip, sick pleasure glinting in his gaze. "I can tell you've been waiting for this moment too, moy malysh. Come here," he beckoned, taking a step closer. Tyson braced himself. "Come play with papa," he said with a chuckle, before diving for Tyson, who pulled the knife he'd hidden in his boot in one smooth movement, and sliced the arm that had been reaching for his shoulder, twisting out of his grasp.
Black stopped and grit his teeth, checking the cut on his forearm with a look before lunging for Tyson again, quicker than he was able to react. Black grabbed the hand in which Tyson held the knife and yanked him to his chest, locking him between his arms, one wrapped against his chest over Tyson's arm in such a way that the blade in his hand pointed to his own face, the other arresting his left arm against his abdomen. The backpack had been thrown off his body in the struggle. Black's breath was in his ear, lips grazing his earlobe. Tyson tried to wriggle free which unfortunately resulted in bringing the knife against his neck. "Go on," Black urged. "Cut yourself on the blade. That way I won't have to break my vow to Hiwatari."
Tyson stopped, breath catching in his lungs, the sharp edge of the knife resting against the skin of his neck, right across the jugular vein. Fuck. What was he going to do now? He couldn't die like this. "What do you want?" he asked Black.
He felt him smile into his cheek. "From you?"
"Yeah"
"To stop bothering me," he answered. "To stay the fuck out of my life."
Tyson gulped, sensing his anger return. "You took mine away from me," he gritted out, eyes welling up. "You took everything from me. You hadn't stopped yourself from fucking up my life. Why can't I do the same?" Black stilled, going quiet for a moment. Tyson drew in a quivering breath. He didn't want to show how weak he was to this monster caging him in. He wanted to make him suffer. Just like he was. His heartbeat picked up as rage boiled in his veins. Tyson decided to not give a fuck about the blade and wrestled his way out of Black's hold with a roar of pent up aggression.
The Russian released him as the blade tumbled down to the floor and Tyson backed away from him, gaining some ground for himself before charging toward him with his fists raised. He collided with Black, both losing their footing and falling to the ground. Tyson managed to pick himself up before Black and punched him across the jaw, hard, twice in successive strikes. Black attempted to grab hold of his wrists and shove him off, but Tyson was relentless, his anger giving him immense strength. He managed to get Black's nose and mouth before he was finally thrown off.
o - o - o - o - o - o
Blu grabbed the shot of Sodium Pentothal he kept on himself at all times in case of situations with people he didn't necessarily need to kill and ran for Tyson who was endeavouring to stand while dealing with a blow Blu had aimed at his gut. He tried to twist around to look at him but Blu crashed into him, hitting the floor again on their knees. He flipped the cap off the injection and had just managed to subdue both his arms before plunging the needle into the exposed side of his neck. Tyson gasped in shock over feeling the needle pierce his skin and having something flushed into his system. Blu drew him up against his chest as the drug started working its magic and Tyson began losing strength and coordination. "What the fuck?" he asked softly, quickly running out of power. He met Blu's eyes with a frightened questioning gaze as the syringe was extracted from his vein. His head fell back as his neck found it difficult to hold it up any longer and Blu dropped the injection to grab his face and make Tyson look at him as he said, "I did what I had to do and if you got hurt in the process, it is of no concern to me."
Blu saw the hatred in Tyson's fading gaze and he tugged him close, to a hairsbreadth of distance. "You want to kill me because you think I'm the reason you're miserable. Because I killed your parents but the truth is, Tyson Granger, shit happens all the time. To all sorts of people. It doesn't matter if you're good or bad. Shit happens and you don't question it because that's the way the world works. You can only deal with it because as long as you keep trying to find someone to blame for the shitty things in your life, you will always be miserable. Deal with it, Tyson. Your parents died. So what? Parents die. In car crashes, accidents. All the time. People die. You don't go around whining and complaining to the universe they're dead, because they're gone. Your whining is not going to bring them back." A tear slipped from Tyson's eye. "Killing me won't bring them back. Your dead parents won't be proud either if that's what you think. They'll hate you, like they hate me, because then you'll have become me. A killer. A psychopath."
Tyson's eyes were wet, and his grip on Blu's jacket loosened, hand falling to his lap. "I..hate..you," he whispered with the last of his strength. "Stop being a fucking baby." Blu kissed his mouth just before his eyes closed and his lights went out. He laid him down on the floor and lifted his backpack to search for whatever the boy had stolen. He hadn't stopped to wait for Kai after the opening match and he was glad he hadn't now. He unzipped the small bag and looked inside, digging with a hand. He found only a flashlight. That couldn't be. He had to have taken something. Blu felt around the sides carefully, but before he could completely turn the bag inside out, his phone rang.
Who was calling him now? He abandoned the search to retrieve the phone from his pocket. It was one of the members who worked close with him and was currently in Japan, attempting to smooth things over with the Yakuza. He answered it. "What is it, brother?"
"They're getting impatient," he said through the speaker. "They want the money as soon as possible."
"I'm trying my best, Jony," Blu told him. "Tell them they'll have the money by the end of this month."
"But-"
"Listen, that was the date we had agreed on," he said angrily. "I don't know how they do things in Japanese gutters, but the Bratva take their words seriously. We said June thirtieth and that's final. Only ten days are left. Those bastards can wait a little longer."
He cut the call and slung the backpack over his shoulder before lifting Tyson up in his arms, ready to leave the room. He gave the boy a once over, very aware of the fact that he was holding something precious to Kai. Oh how he would love to see the proud Hiwatari break down to his knees. But not yet. They were still partners. Not yet. Blu told himself as he climbed down the stairs.
o - o - o - o - o - o
Fifteen minutes ago
Tala called Wolborg back into the blade as the falcon's talons fell just short of scratching his cheek. Yeah he had had enough. He glanced over to where Bryan stood atop the opposite platform. There was a big fucking chance he could screw this up but Kai had told them to put on a show and he would deliver. No matter the consequences. Tala was willing to take the risk.
The one upside to being shut inside a dome designed to keep sound from entering was that he couldn't hear the crowd and could concentrate well. Tala let his eyes close, gathering energy, feeling the power build up in him. He kept his attention solely on his bitbeast till he could sense his fingertips start to tingle. The flow of power giving him a euphoric rush.
He loved it.
o - o - o - o - o - o
King munched on a cookie, crumbs stuck on his mustache and beard as Kai sat next to him, watching the match. He took a big bite out of one of the cookies from a plate set beside him and some of the crumbs flew onto Kai's spotless dark blue tuxedo. Kai ground his teeth in annoyance, then flicked the cookie bits off his lapel, tight smile plastered on his face.
He crossed one ankle over a knee and slightly leaned away from King, gaze fixed on Tala. He saw him summon Wolborg into the blade and clench his fists. Kai wondered what he was up to. The falcon soared into the air, blocking his view of Tala for a split second making him tilt his head as he tried to keep his eyes on the red haired blader. He'd been right to do so as the next time Tala opened his eyes, they were glaring blue, the air around him shimmering. His fingertips glowed Argon, a wicked smile creeping over his features. Kai leaned forward, brows furrowing, tension hiking. He sent a cursory glance to the audience to check their reaction as Tala hitched up his sleeves a little, one after the other. Bryan screamed at Falborg to attack and the falcon obeyed, screeching toward Tala, who held himself stock still till the majestic bird reached him and he moved at the very last moment. Slashing the bird across its golden breast with thick, sharp, icy claws in one swipe. "No!" Bryan shouted in terror as his beloved bitbeast thrashed, careened down to the bottom, vaporising mid-air with a final pained squawk, glittering golden dust the only remains.
"And the winner is Tala! Ladies and gents, give it up for..." A. J Topper's voice dissolved as the crowd applauded, impressed and excited. Kai looked at Tala, then at Bryan, and rose from his seat shooting a polite smile at King and receiving his compliments before making his way out of the lounge. He immediately went in search for Tala. What had he been thinking? He ran toward the washrooms, shoes tapping over the tiles.
He barged into the one nearest to the dome and found Tala hunched over the sink as soon as he pushed opened the door. "What have you done, Tala?" Kai marched over to the blader who spun around at his arrival, eyes red rimmed.
"I did what you asked me to do," he replied with venom. "Nothing more, nothing less."
"I don't recall asking you to kill his bitbeast," Kai spat in response.
"You wanted me to put on a show," Tala took a step closer, spreading his palms. "I gave you a show. What is the problem now?"
Kai looked into his eyes. Eyes that were red from crying. "The problem is that you lost control and your best friend paid for it." Tala averted his gaze, jaw working.
"He's not my best friend."
"I told you not to do it last night because you weren't ready yet. Why did you then?"
Tala screwed his lids shut, mouth a strained line. He was silent for a long moment. "Because I thought I could," he finally admitted in a whisper.
Kai inhaled deeply. "Go apologize to him."
"You got us into this."
"You volunteered all by yourself."
Tala met his gaze, cold and mirthless as ever. A beat passed. "You will apologize to him, first, because 'levelling up' wasn't our idea."
Kai clenched his jaw. "I'm sorry"
"No, you're not," replied Tala. "I can see right through your fake manners, Kai. Just because you're wearing a suit now, it doesn't mean you aren't the same filthy Abbey rat you've always been." He smirked. "When I look at you, Kai, walking around in your pressed suits and Rolexes, you know who you remind me of?"
"Voltaire?" Kai raised an eyebrow. "We've been there before, Tala."
"No, Kai," He shook his head. "Worse. You remind me of Boris." Kai felt himself ashen and whatever Tala saw on his face must have satisfied him because he stepped back and walked around him, bumping his shoulder with his own on the way out. "You apologize to Bryan, first and then I will do the same."
The door closed after him and Kai looked down at his hands, balled up into fists. He unclenched them and released the breath he'd been holding. He wasn't turning into Boris, he told himself. You're not a monster. Kai gazed up at his reflection. Old memories resurfaced for an agonizing moment - knives and mangled corpses - before they vanished and all he saw was his own pale face staring back at him.
o - o - o - o - o - o
Now
Tyson woke up with a start, grey sky stretching far and wide above him. Where was he? His head felt foggy. He propped himself up on his elbows on the pavement and looked around at his surroundings. Fuck. He was in the restaurant's backyard. Black had dumped him unceremoniously on the ground in the cold night and left him freezing his butt off. He sat up and spotted his bag a little distance from him. He crawled towards it and picked it up, searching frantically for the USB. It was probably gone. He must have had taken it. It was all for nothing. There was no way the pen drive was still in there-
Tyson's hand closed around the stick of the USB drive and he brought it out just to make sure because he couldn't believe he still had it. Black must have wiped it clean then. He got up quickly, running out of the restaurant's compound and straight for his bike.
When he reached the dorm, he took the stairs two at a time, bursting through the door and startling Mike out of bed. "Dude, what the fuck?" he muttered groggily. "It's fucking six in the morning."
Tyson didn't stop to reply, going immediately to his laptop and switching it on. He tapped his fingers on the desk as the computer booted up. "Come on, come on," he chanted.
"What are you doing?" Mike asked, hugging his pillow and laying his head down on it as he peered at Tyson who was at the desk at the foot of his bed.
He inserted the USB drive as the welcome screen greeted him and signed in, nerves a mess. The option to show all the files in the drive came up and he clicked it, biting his lip. The window opened and there was a moment where Tyson panicked before the large number of files finally loaded and were listed down the screen. "Oh my fucking god," he exhaled, nearly collapsing with relief.
Tyson grinned over at Mike, panting, hands braced upon the desk. He couldn't believe it. He had all the files. Granted, they were encrypted but he had them. Every single one of them. His mission was a success. He'd only almost died during the execution of it.
"Yeah, you're very happy, and acting very weird, what the fuck is going on?"
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Tyson asked, bizzarrely elated.
"Mhm" Michael hummed, watching Tyson with renewed interest.
"You have anything to eat?" Tyson inquired, feeling extremely hungry all of a sudden. He scanned the room.
"Oh that reminds me!" Mike sat up. "A delivery came last night. For you, sir! From a …. Kai Hiwatari. Do you know anybody named Kai Hiwatari?" A teasing smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. It was almost lecherous.
Tyson straightened. Mike waited. "Well? What was it?" Tyson asked impatiently.
Michael laughed. "Pizza. An extra large double cheese pizza so don't be too disappointed. There was also a note. It's on the desk. Right there." He pointed.
"Where?"
"Right next to the laptop." Tyson spotted the note but he went to the fridge and dragged the pizza box out before reading the note. He was famished. He tore open the lid and didn't even pause to yell at Michael for stealing a piece or heat it before digging in. "Mmm" he moaned. "Damn it even tastes good cold."
"That's disgusting," Michael commented.
Tyson stuffed half a slice into his mouth in one bite. "Why the fuck did you eat my pizza?"
"Oh?" Mike was having too much fun. "Your pizza?" He sunk back into the mattress with a laugh. "Man, stop being so selfish. It's a large one." He snorted at his own joke.
Tyson kicked the fridge closed and walked over to the desk to read the small purple card with something written on it. "This came with the pizza?"
"Ahan"
'Pick you up at eight', it read. Oh fuck. He recalled agreeing to go out with Kai somewhere tonight. Tyson had completely forgotten about it.
"A date, huh?" Of course he had read it.
"It's not a fucking date." Tyson tossed the remaining pizza into the box and gulped down mouthfuls of water from Mike's bottle.
"Right" he agreed, dryly. Tyson set the bottle back on the desk.
"Fuck off" He threw his roommate the finger over his shoulder as he headed to the bathroom for a shower and a shave.
o - o - o - o - o - o
At seven fifty five, Tyson stood in front of the mirror, ready to go. He wore a half-sleeve shirt and a red hoodie with black jeans. Black jeans to match the black shirt. Too much black? What the fuck was he thinking? Tyson touched his bangs, arranging it a bit. His hair was more brown than ever. He wondered if he looked too plain and then berated his dumb self for doing so. "It's not a date, asshole," he muttered. "Get it together."
He inhaled deeply, chest expanding underneath his shirt. He checked the time and decided to step out. Tyson reached the doorway at eight one and Kai was already waiting outside, his car parked on the curb. He had been leaning against it, scrolling through his phone, but he put his weight back on his feet and pocketed his mobile when he noticed Tyson standing at the top of the three steps at the front door. He felt his hands were too empty and so he hid them in his hoodie and approached Kai.
He was in his white button-down, Tyson noted. "Hi"
"Hello" Kai replied, glowing under the yellow street light.
"Didn't have enough time to change out of your work clothes?" Tyson asked, lightly.
"I did," he denied immediately. "I showered."
He looked up at Tyson like he'd given away too much and Tyson wondered if he'd imagined the sudden expression of embarrassment on his face that was gone in an instant. He cleared his throat. "Are we just going to stand around or...?" he asked and Kai ushered him into the car.
"Get in" he said, opening the door for him.
Tyson shot him a meaningful look at the action and lowered himself into the car. Kai shut the door after him.
Trees and lights sped by as they drove out of the city. Tyson kept a hand on top of his wrist to feel his own pulse as they sat in silence. "How did it go?" he asked him at last.
"Went well," Kai replied. "Better than I expected. The audience feedback after the match was excellent."
Tyson smirked. "Excellent" he repeated and Kai glanced at him. "I'm happy for you."
He heard him gulp. "Where are we going?" He gazed up as the colour of the lanterns changed from yellow to white and the roads grew deserted.
"You'll see."
Tyson felt oddly brave for some reason. May be it was because of the near death experience he had last night or the fact that he finally had something real on the Russian, but he felt calm and bold. So he said what he'd been thinking since the day in the alleys when they met again after two years. "You've changed a lot."
Kai blinked once. "Have I?" he asked quietly.
"Mhm" Tyson nodded. "You're nothing like the guy you used to be." He looked out of the window as he said it, watching the empty streets and sidewalks whiz past.
"And how am I different?"
Tyson rested his head against the glass as he assessed Kai. "The way you dress, the way you talk." He listed one by one. "The hair, the company you keep." Tyson licked his lips. "It's hard to wrap my head around just the fact that a nineteen year old boy can build an empire in such a short span of time." He shook his chin, eyes distant but on the road. "But that you did it?" He gestured with his hands as he said, "mindblowing."
Kai drew in his lower lip, chewing on it as he mulled over Tyson's words. "Why is that so hard to comprehend?"
"Because it is!" He sighed. "It just is. That's not normal, Kai. That's not normal. Nineteen year olds don't do that. They're too busy fucking up their lives and getting drunk out of their minds to do the kinds of shit you've accomplished."
Tyson stared at him as he drove, thinking, pondering, taking them far out of the city. They slowed down as they crossed over a bridge, bright white lights illuminating the way. The view was pretty. Tyson breathed in the cool night air as Kai rolled down the windows, enjoying the little outing they were having.
They reached what looked like a riverbank and Kai turned off the ignition. He didn't get out right away and so Tyson didn't either, waiting for him. "May be that's not normal but you and I were never a part of the 'normal' crowd."
Tyson thought about that. "And what was so out of the ordinary about my life?"
"We've seen things most people have not and never will." Kai's jaw shown in the light slanting in through the windshield, shadowing the top half of his face. "Experienced extraordinary things." He looked at him for the first time since stopping the car and stole Tyson's breath.
A long moment passed before Kai finally opened the door and got out. He went to the back of the car to retrieve something and Tyson sat alone for a while, gathering himself. He pulled the door open after a minute and stepped out into the night. His feet touched upon grass and he tugged the hoodie tighter as he slowly made his way over to Kai. The grass led to a paved outcrop, looking out over a river, the glittering New York city on the other side of the dark water. There was a bench and a square table made of stone just a foot or two from the railing where Kai had set two cups and a pair of blankets.
Tyson smiled as he reached Kai, eyes on the things Kai had arranged. "What is all this?"
"Nothing" Kai shrugged, leaning back against the table and holding out a cup for Tyson, his own already in his other hand. "How do you like the place?"
Tyson accepted the drink, gaze on Kai's, a small smile on his mouth. "I love it. What is this?" he asked, cracking the lid open.
"Hot chocolate," replied Kai and Tyson raised his eyebrows.
"That's what your drinking too?"
"No, mine's chamomile tea." He folded his arms and took a sip.
"I hate you," Tyson rolled his eyes. "No, really. Are you really drinking hot chocolate?" he stuttered over his words in shock.
Kai nodded, screwing up his face and licking his lips. The nod turned into a shake and he put it down on the table. "I thought I could, but I can't." He drew a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his mouth.
Tyson laughed. "What the fuck?" He threw his head back as he struggled to contain his giggles. "Oh boy" He brought the thumb of the hand holding the cup to his nose, gazing at Kai over the rim of it as he hid his smile. Kai turned his head and met his eyes, rolling up his sleeves. He lowered the cup and drank from it, maintaining the eye contact. He detached his lips from the lid and licked them clean, noting how the movement made Kai break his stare. "It's a date, isn't it?" he asked quietly.
He wondered if he'd say no, but he said yes and that forced Tyson to look down. "Why didn't you say so?"
"Would you have come if I had?" Kai replied with a question instead of answering.
"No"
"Exactly"
Tyson traced the lip of the cup, unsure whether he should push for more and if he did how he would react. And if Kai was honest? What then?
"I came here the day you got your cast removed," said Kai, the one to break the silence this time. "It was night time and everything was so quiet. I found the river peaceful. Soothing even. And my first thought was that I should bring you here because I knew you'd appreciate it just as much as I did."
And he was right. Tyson absolutely adored the riverbank. For someone considered as loud and extroverted, Tyson liked the quiet a lot more than people expected him to. And the city could be heard, in a distant, muted way, making the skyscrapers and malls appear like buzzing fireflies in the dark. He sensed Kai's gaze on him. "You know I like you," said Tyson. "But Kai you don't understand, I-"
"Wait," Kai cut him off, getting up and facing him, shielding the view of the city from him. "Hear me out. You know the abridged version of the story of how I spend my last two years. You don't know what it was really like. You have no idea," he looked down, voice thick as he spoke. Tyson set his cup on the table. Kai glanced back up, meeting his gaze, determined. "This is going to sound crazy and coming from me, it's going to sound even crazier. And you're probably going to think I'm an imposter by the time I'm done because I've never done this before. I barely feel like myself right now." Tyson's eyes grew wide when he heard the same words he often used to describe himself from Kai. What the fuck? He thought as he stared at him.
"But if I don't do this, Tyson," He shook his head. "I'll never forgive myself." His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. His irises were almost brown. "I meant what I said, Tyson."
"Meant what?" he whispered.
"What I told you on the night I left." Tyson knew what he was saying and his gaze dropped. Kai had told him he loved him. Had whispered the three words into his ear three times before Tyson fell asleep and he'd believed him for only a second and no longer. To hear they were true from him now...
"I didn't want to leave, Tyson and it hurt me that I had no choice. You're not going to believe me, but the time I got between meetings and classes, you were all I could think about. I'd almost quit the company twice because I couldn't not see you, Tyson and when I missed you too much I'd-" He stopped and Tyson looked up. Kai took a breath. "I'd take out your pictures," he pressed his lips together. "And look at them." He huffed a laugh. "Like a fool. That was how badly you had me." He winced, pausing for a moment before saying, "how you have me." His gaze locked on Tyson's. "It hurts so much. I want you so much. You're so good. So beautiful. Kind. Loving. Forgiving. I don't deserve you, but you deserve the world. You need someone who would give you everything you desire. Someone who will never let you down. And if I were a better man I'd let you go because you deserve only the best. But I'm not. I'm not, Tyson. I want you all to myself. I lack a lot, but god help me I will try my very best to keep you happy and satisfied until I die."
Tyson stared at him, tears pooled in his wide eyes, his heart trembling in his chest. "Tyson Granger," Kai touched his face gingerly as he asked, "will you be mine?" He stood before him, baring his soul and Tyson knew that there never was going to be any other. He was the one.
Tyson stalled for a moment. And then two. Before tugging Kai's hand away from his face and pulling him into a searing kiss. Kai's arms enveloped around him and lifted him off the ground. Tyson breathed him in. His earthy scent, the hot chocolate on his breath. His eyelashes brushing over his cheeks as soft as feathers. The way he kissed Tyson like he was drinking him in. Tyson hummed into Kai's mouth before breaking away. His chest feeling like something had exploded inside it. He saw Kai smile. His real smile. And Tyson kissed him again. And again. And again.
A/N: Hello, my loves. How are you all doing? I would like to inform you all that this story has only nineteen chapters left. I'm hoping to finish it this year. Thank you for reading it and sticking with it for so long.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was a whole...experience for me while writing it. Leave a review and let me know if you liked it. Please stay safe and take care of yourselves. Love you!
